1
|
Asfaw T, Metaferia Y, Weldehanna EG, Weldehanna DG. Bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility in ocular infections: A study at Boru-Meda General Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia. BMC Ophthalmol 2024; 24:342. [PMID: 39138386 PMCID: PMC11323621 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03544-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The eye consists of both internal and external compartments. Several variables, including microbes, dust, and high temperatures can cause eye illnesses that can result in blindness. Bacterial eye infections continue to be a major cause of ocular morbidity and blindness, and their prevalence is periodically rising. The objective of the study was to detect bacterial pathogens and assess their susceptibility profiles to antibiotics in the ophthalmology unit of Boru-meda Hospital in Dessie, Ethiopia. METHODS A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to April 30, 2021, among 319 study participants with symptomatic ocular or peri-ocular infections who were enrolled using a consecutive sampling technique. After proper specimen collection, the specimen was immediately inoculated with chocolate, blood, and MacConkey agar. After pure colonies were obtained, they were identified using standard microbiological methods. The Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method was used to test antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, based on the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. RESULTS The majority of participants developed conjunctivitis 126 (39.5%), followed by blepharitis 47 (14.73%), and dacryocystitis 45 (14.1%). Overall, 164 (51.4%) participants were culture positive, six (1.9%) participants had mixed bacterial isolates, giving a total of 170 bacterial isolates with an isolation rate of 53.3%. The predominant species was CoNS 47 (27.6%), followed by S. aureus 38 (22.4%) and Moraxella species 32 (18.8%). The overall Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) rate was 62.9%, with 33 (44.6%) being gram-negative and 74 (77.1%) being gram-positive isolates. CONCLUSION Conjunctivitis was the dominant clinical case and CoNS, was the predominant isolate. A higher rate of MDR isolates, particularly gram-positive ones, was observed. Efficient peri-ocular or ocular bacterial infection surveillance, including microbiological laboratory data, is necessary for monitoring disease trends.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yeshi Metaferia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, P.O. Box 1145, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | | | - Daniel Gebretsadik Weldehanna
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, P.O. Box 1145, Dessie, Ethiopia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mohammadzadeh Vazifeh M, Safavi Haas G, Sohrabi Haghdoost N, Aftab G. Investigation of eye flora in cats infected with Herpesvirus and Calicivirus. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY 2024; 16:576-583. [PMID: 39267931 PMCID: PMC11389774 DOI: 10.18502/ijm.v16i4.16318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives The ocular surface is perpetually exposed to the external environment, rendering it susceptible to microbial contamination. The ocular surface microbiota consists of non-pathogenic microorganisms that inhabit the conjunctiva and cornea. This study's objective was to extensively review the prevalence of bacterial and fungal organisms in the conjunctiva of healthy and diseased cats. (Herpes- and Calici-infected groups). Materials and Methods The current study was performed on 240 cats that had visited veterinary health centers (Tehran, Iran) for examination. Sterile swabs from each cat's eyes were investigated for microbiological assessment. After sample collection, viral pathogens (Herpes and Calici viruses) were isolated and identified using the PCR method. The ages of the investigated group were 3.76, 3.93, and 4.15 months. Results The highest frequency of bacteria in the normal, Herpes-infected/Calici-infected, and Herpes/Calici-infected groups were associated with Staphylococcus intermedius and Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus intermedius, respectively. In addition, it was found that the high prevalence of fungal microorganisms in the isolated samples was related to yeasts, Aspergillus (Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger), and Penicillium species. Conclusion Bacterial prevalence was significantly higher in all groups than the prevalence of fungi in the eyes of cats. The statistical comparison between the study groups regarding microbial and fungal frequency showed that significant differences were found between them, such that the frequency was higher in all disease groups, against the control group. In addition, a significant relation was observed between the Herpes-infected and Calici-infected groups regarding microbial and fungal prevalence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Mohammadzadeh Vazifeh
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Basic Sciences and Advanced Technologies in Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gazelle Safavi Haas
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ghazal Aftab
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Petrillo F, Petrillo A, Sasso FP, Schettino A, Maione A, Galdiero M. Viral Infection and Antiviral Treatments in Ocular Pathologies. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2224. [PMID: 36363815 PMCID: PMC9694090 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ocular viral infections are common and widespread globally. These infectious diseases are a major cause of acute red eyes and vision loss. The eye and its nearby tissues can be infected by several viral agents, causing infections with a short course and limited ocular implications or a long clinical progression and serious consequences for the function and structure of the ocular region. Several surveillance studies underline the increased emergence of drug resistance among pathogenic viral strains, limiting treatment options for these infections. Currently, in the event of resistant infections, topical or systemic corticosteroids are useful in the management of associated immune reactions in the eye, which contribute to ocular dysfunction. Many cases of viral eye infections are misdiagnosed as being of bacterial origin. In these cases, therapy begins late and is not targeted at the actual cause of the infection, often leading to severe ocular compromises, such as corneal infiltrates, conjunctival scarring, and reduced visual acuity. The present study aims at a better understanding of the viral pathogens that cause eye infections, along with the treatment options available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Petrillo
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria-Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonietta Schettino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Maione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Marilena Galdiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
He J, Shen X, Zhang N, Sun C, Shao Y. Smartphones as an Ecological Niche of Microorganisms: Microbial Activities, Assembly, and Opportunistic Pathogens. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0150822. [PMID: 36040152 PMCID: PMC9603676 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01508-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Smartphone usage and contact frequency are unprecedentedly high in this era, and they affect humans mentally and physically. However, the characteristics of the microorganisms associated with smartphones and smartphone hygiene habits remain unclear. In this study, using various culture-independent techniques, including high-throughput sequencing, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), the ATP bioluminescence system, and electron microscopy, we investigated the structure, assembly, quantity, and dynamic metabolic activity of the bacterial community on smartphone surfaces and the user's dominant and nondominant hands. We found that smartphone microbiotas are more similar to the nondominant hand microbiotas than the dominant hand microbiotas and show significantly decreased phylogenetic diversity and stronger deterministic processes than the hand microbiota. Significant interindividual microbiota differences were observed, contributing to an average owner identification accuracy of 70.6% using smartphone microbiota. Furthermore, it is estimated that approximately 1.75 × 106 bacteria (2.24 × 104/cm2) exist on the touchscreen of a single smartphone, and microbial activities remain stable for at least 48 h. Scanning electron microscopy detected large fragments harboring microorganisms, suggesting that smartphone microbiotas live on the secreta or other substances, e.g., human cell debris and food debris. Fortunately, simple smartphone cleaning/hygiene could significantly reduce the bacterial load. Taken together, our results demonstrate that smartphone surfaces not only are a reservoir of microbes but also provide an ecological niche in which microbiotas, particularly opportunistic pathogens, can survive, be active, and even grow. IMPORTANCE Currently, people spend an average of 4.2 h per day on their smartphones. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this figure may still be increasing. The high frequency of smartphone usage may allow microbes, particularly pathogens, to attach to-and even survive on-phone surfaces, potentially causing adverse effects on humans. We employed various culture-independent techniques in this study to evaluate the microbiological features and hygiene of smartphones, including community assembly, bacterial load, and activity. Our data showed that deterministic processes drive smartphone microbiota assembly and that approximately 1.75 × 106 bacteria exist on a single smartphone touchscreen, with activities being stable for at least 48 h. Fortunately, simple smartphone cleaning/hygiene could significantly reduce the bacterial load. This work expands our understanding of the microbial ecology of smartphone surfaces and might facilitate the development of electronic device cleaning/hygiene guidelines to support public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jintao He
- Max Planck Partner Group, Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Shen
- Max Planck Partner Group, Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Max Planck Partner Group, Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chao Sun
- Analysis Center of Agrobiology and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongqi Shao
- Max Planck Partner Group, Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fritz B, Paschko E, Young W, Böhringer D, Wahl S, Ziemssen F, Egert M. Comprehensive Compositional Analysis of the Slit Lamp Bacteriota. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:745653. [PMID: 34869057 PMCID: PMC8635730 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.745653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Slit lamps are routinely used to examine large numbers of patients every day due to high throughput. Previous, cultivation-based results suggested slit lamps to be contaminated with bacteria, mostly coagulase-negative staphylococci, followed by micrococci, bacilli, but also Staphylococcus aureus. Our study aimed at obtaining a much more comprehensive, cultivation-independent view of the slit lamp bacteriota and its hygienic relevance, as regularly touched surfaces usually represent fomites, particularly if used by different persons. We performed extensive 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyse the bacteriota, of 46 slit lamps from two tertiary care centers at two sampling sites, respectively. 82 samples yielded enough sequences for downstream analyses and revealed contamination with bacteria of mostly human skin, mucosa and probably eye origin, predominantly cutibacteria, staphylococci and corynebacteria. The taxonomic assignment of 3369 ASVs (amplicon sequence variants) revealed 19 bacterial phyla and 468 genera across all samples. As antibiotic resistances are of major concern, we screened all samples for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using qPCR, however, no signals above the detection limit were detected. Our study provides first comprehensive insight into the slit lamp microbiota. It underlines that slit lamps carry a highly diverse, skin-like bacterial microbiota and that thorough cleaning and disinfection after use is highly recommendable to prevent eye and skin infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Fritz
- Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Institute of Precision Medicine, Microbiology and Hygiene Group, Furtwangen University, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
| | - Edita Paschko
- Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Institute of Precision Medicine, Microbiology and Hygiene Group, Furtwangen University, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
| | - Wayne Young
- Food Informatics Team, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Daniel Böhringer
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Siegfried Wahl
- Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, Aalen, Germany.,Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard-Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Focke Ziemssen
- Center for Ophthalmology, Eberhard-Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Markus Egert
- Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Institute of Precision Medicine, Microbiology and Hygiene Group, Furtwangen University, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|